Schizophrenic hallucinations can occur at any time, and commonly occur in the daytime while a person is fully awake. A primary difference is that hypnopompic hallucinations only occur as a person is waking up. The nature of hypnopompic hallucinations differs from hallucinations arising from mental illness. Experiencing hypnopompic hallucinations does not suggest you have a mental health disorder. Hypnopompic hallucinations share some similarities with hallucinations arising from mental illness, but their effect is quite different. Hallucinations Associated With Mental Health DisordersĪ variety of types of hallucinations exist, and different hallucinations result from different causes. These hallucinations differ from nightmares and hallucinations associated with mental health disorders. If you’ve recently experienced hypnopompic hallucinations for the first time, you might wonder if they are a cause for concern. They both likely originate during an early, non-REM sleep stage. Together, hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations are referred to as hypnagogia. Up to 37% of people experience these nighttime hallucinations. Hypnagogic hallucinations are similar to hypnopompic hallucinations, but they occur as you’re falling asleep.

They aren’t as common as hypnagogic hallucinations, however. Hypnopompic hallucinations are relatively common, occurring in over 12% of people. Hypnopompic hallucinations, in particular, are hallucinations that occur as you are waking up in the morning and in a state that falls somewhere between dreaming and being fully awake. Hallucinations may include seeing, hearing, feeling, or even smelling things that feel real but are not. Generally, hallucinations are sensory experiences that don’t correspond to what’s happening in reality. Learn more about what hypnopompic hallucinations are, how they differ from other types of hallucinations, and what you should do if you experience them. They generally don’t indicate an underlying mental or physical illness, though they may be more common in people with certain sleep disorders. Sometimes these hallucinations occur alone, and other times they occur in conjunction with sleep paralysis.įor most people, hypnopompic hallucinations are considered normal and are not cause for concern. When you experience these hallucinations, you see, hear, or feel things that aren’t actually there. They are very similar to hypnagogic hallucinations, or hallucinations that occur at night as you’re falling asleep. Hypnopompic hallucinations are hallucinations that occur in the morning as you’re waking up.

Illusion vs hallucination